Jewelry attachment



I. WEISS JEWELRY ATTACHMENT Filed May 2, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V P owOct. 8, 1968 WEISS JEWELRY ATTACHMENT Filed May 2, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Q Ll.

lmmnlnlrunmlmnlln a 4% United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aclamp for attaching a flexible band, or strap, to a clasp which includesa housing having a bottom, side and end walls which form, therebetween,a cavity, the end Wall having a horizontal opening, a flexible bandextending through said openinginto said cavity with one side of saidband in engagement with said bottom wall, the opposite side of said bandhaving a plurality of teeth, and a keeper pivotally connected at one ofits ends intermediate said side walls, said keeper having a plurality ofteeth extending upwardly into said cavity toward said bottom wall and inmating engagement with the teeth on said band, and means opposite thepivoted ends of said keeper for holding said keeper in position in saidcavity and for locking the teeth on said keeper in mating engagementWith the teeth on said band.

This invention relates to an attachment for connecting a flexible strapto a clasp and, more particularly, to such an attachment for connectinga flexible strap to a jewelry clasp.

On watch bands, bracelets, necklaces, and the like, where flexiblebands, or straps, are employed, it is the customary practice to connectone end of the band, or strap, to a clasp member which, when the claspis open, allows the watch, bracelet, necklace, or the like, to be placedon the wearer and, when the. clasp is closed, holds such 'watch,bracelet, necklace, or the like, in place on the wearer. When the claspis open, the band is discontinuous and, when closed, "continuous.

The watch, bracelet, necklace, or the like, is secured by the clasp,that is, when the clasp is closed, the watch, etc. is held in place. If,by accident, the clasp is opened, the watch, bracelet, necklace, or thelike, may be, and often is, lost. To prevent accidental opening of suchclasps, various safety arrangements, such as double latches, are customarily employed and these, when properly closed, are effective forsecuring the clasp against accidental opening.

The instant invention is not concerned with clasp latches but, rather,with the attachment of flexible bands to such latches. Theseattachments, although not opened and closed each time the band is puton, or taken off, are of as equal importance as the clasp for securingthe band because, if the attachment fails while the band is being worn,the band, watch, bracelet, necklace, or the like, can fall off and belost. Furthermore, if the band fails at the attachment, it can fall olfand be lost.

One of the objects of the instant invention is to provide an improvedattachment for connecting the end of a flexible band to a clasp.

A further object is to provide such an attachment that is inexpensiveand economical to produce.

Still a further object is to provide such an attachment that isattractive and will not detract from the over-all appearance of theband.

These, and other objects, will be more apparent from the followingdescription and attached drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view, in perspective, of the various elements ofthe invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the elements of FIGURE 1 with theelements assembled;

3,404,440 Patented Oct. 8, 1968 FIGURE 3 is a side view, in section,taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a side view, in section, along line 4--4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 55 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of the left hand element of FIGURE 3.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a clasp, generally designated2, having a body 4, and latches 6, 8. Latches 6, 8, are pivoted, at oneof their ends, to body 4, by pin 10 which, at its opposite ends, ispress-fitted, or soldered, in side walls 12, 14, of body 4 and,intermediate its end, rotatably supports latches 6, 8 for pivotalmovement in body 4 into opened and closed positions. End wall 16 of body4 has an outwardly projecting shoulder 16, which, when the latches areclosed, is engaged by inwardly extending shoulder 18 on end Wall 20 ofouter latch 6. Side walls 12, 14 of body 4 are cut-out at 22, 24, forpurposes later described. Prongs 26, 28 extend downward from inner latch8.

At one of its ends, body 4 is pivotally connected, by pin 30, to the endof the housing that, for purposes of con venience is referred to as theclamp and generally desig nated 32. At its ends, pin 30 is press-fitted,or soldered, in side walls 34, 36 of clamp housing 32,, extends throughside walls 12, 14, of body 4, and through the opening between side walls12, 14, for purposes later described.

A second clamp housing, generally designated 40, having side walls 42,44, and end wall 46, makes up the other end of the clasp. Clamp housings32, 40 are identical except that, in housing 32, side walls 34, 36 areopen at their ends and are provided with holes for receiving pin 30,while, in housing 40, side walls 42, 44 are closed by end wall 46 and noholes are provided in the side walls. These differences may beaccomplished, for purposes of production, by manufacturing both clamphousings in the configuration of housing 40 and, thereafter, removingend Wall 46 from one of the housings and drilling the holes for pin 30.

Because, except for the diflerences noted above, housings 32, 40 areidentical, only housing 32 will be hereinafter described, it beingunderstood, however, that the description applies equally to housing 40.

The end of housing 32, opposite pin end 30, has a wall having arectangular opening 52, for receiving the end of flexible band 54, andan upper wall 56 which may be solid or, as shown, provided with anopening 58 extending through the wall. For aesthetic purposes, the edgesof sides 34, 36 at the ends of upper wall 56 may be tapered, as at 60,62, 64. Likewise, to conform to the curve of the unit, the top andbottom surfaces of side wall 34, 36 and upper wall 56 may be angularlydisposed, one to the other.

Keeper 66, having along one of its surfaces a plurality of spaced teeth68, is pivotally connected by pin between side walls 34, 36, pin 70being press-fitted, or soldered, at its ends in the side walls andpivotally supports keeper 66 for pivotal movement about one of its endsbetween walls 34, 36 from a position as in FI GURES 1 and 3, where itsfree end projects downwardly from housing 32, to a position where keeper66 is between side walls 34, 36, as in FIGURES 2 and 4. At its oppositeend, keeper 66 has a pin receiving hole 72, which, when keeper 66 isbetween side walls 34, 36, receives pin for reasons that will beexplained.

As best shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 6, one side of flexible band 54 has aplurality of spaced teeth 82, spaced to engage the spaces between teeth68 of keeper 66 and to receive teeth 68 therebetween. Teeth 82 and 68 Onband 54 and keeper 66, respectively, may be spaced equally or may bevaried provided, however, that: the teeth on one 3 mate with the teethon the other, for reasons that are obvious.

Teeth 82 on band 54 may be formed on the band, as the band ismanufactured or may be stamped, or cut, after manufacture. Preferably,teeth 82 do not extend to the 4 edges of the band but are located in thecenter of the band so that the band edges are continuous and uniform.The length of teeth 68 on keeper 66 are of a length to receive teeth 82and recesses 68, 68" are provided on keeper 66 along the opposite endsof teeth 68 to receive the continuous side edges of the band.

As is also best shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 6, band 54 has more teeth thanare required to receive teeth 68 of keeper 66. These excess teeth, onband 54, allow the band, if necessary, to be shortened and are providedfor purposes of convenience. By stamping or cutting the teeth in theband, after the band length has been determined, these excess teethcould be eliminated.

In assembling the clasp of FIGURE 1, pin 80 is removed and keeper 66 ispivoted on pin 70 so that its free end projects downwardly from thehousing. The end of band 54 is inserted through opening 52 in end wall50 until the end of the band contacts the pivoted end of keeper 66 andkeeper 66 is then pivoted upward bringing teeth 68 on keeper 66 intomating engagement with teeth 82 on band 54. With the teeth in matingengagement, pin 80 is inserted through the pin receiving holes in sidewalls 34, 36 and pin receiving hole 72 in keeper 66, locking flexibleband 54 in housing 32.

The inner side of upper wall 56 of housing 32 is smooth and forms abacking for flexible band 54 when keeper 66 is closed. The outer surfaceof band 54 in contact with the inner side of wall 56 can slide relativeto the wall. Thus, as band 54 flexes, the outer surface of band 54 canmove relative to the wall. This movement is not substantial but it doesavoid stresses in the flexible band which, in clamps heretofore employedthat grip both the inner and outer surface of the flexible band, haveresulted in failure of the band where it is attached to the clamp.

As has been noted, upper wall 56 may be solid or provided with anopening, such as, the opening 58. Because the upper wall is a backingand is in sliding contact with the flexible band, it is not necessaryfor this wall to be solid. By providing an opening in the wall, whichmay be of any configuration, the surface of the band, at the opening, isexposed, substantially reducing the appearance of the size of the clampwhich, in jewelry, is of particular advantage.

It is to be noted that, in assembling and disassembling the clasp clampof the instant invention, only pin 80 is removed. Thus, the clamp issimple to assemble and disassemble. Furthermore, when the clamp isassembled, there is no movement between pin 80 and the members. This isalso of particular advantage because pin 80 does not become worn whilethe assembled clasp is in use. Because there is no wear, pin 80 will notfail, or break, while the assembly is in use which is often a source offailure where wear can occur.

The clamps 32, 40 of the instant invention can be used with a widevariety of clasps, the ends of the clamps in contact with and attachingto the clasp being modified, of course, to adapt the clamps to the clasparrangement. The clasp arrangement that has been described in theforegoing description has been found to be suited for use with theclamps and has been illustrated and described for a better understandingof the clamp. Other clasps are also suitable for use with the clamp.

When the clamp of the instant invention is used with the clasparrangement illustrated and described, after the flexible bands 54 havebeen inserted into and locked in housings 32, 40, the assembled band isplaced on the wearer and secured in position by passing end wall 46 ofclamp housing 40 over latches 6, 8 so that end wall 46 is in cutouts 22,24 of clasp 2. Inner latch 8 is then closed so that prongs 26, 28 engagethe opposite sides of pin 30. Outer latch 6 is then closed and inwardlyextending shoulder 18 on end wall 20 of outer latch 6 passes over and isheld closed by the outwardly projecting shoulder 16" on end wall 16 ofbody 4. To remove the band from the wearer, the outer latch 6 is opened,inner latch 8 is opened and end wall 46 of clasp 40 is lifted out ofcut-outs 22, 24 and over latches 6, 8.

The terms and expressions which have been'employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A clamp for fixedly connecting one end of a flexible band to ajewelry article comprising, a first member havinga longitudinallyextending upper wall, an end wall, and upwardly extendin side walls ateither side of said upper wall, said upper, end and side walls forming,therebetween, there being a cavity for receiving the end of a flexibleband, a second member pivoted at one of its ends to the side walls ofsaid first member and movable from an open position wherein said secondmember projects outward from said cavity to a closed position whereinsaid second member is between the side walls of said first member and insaid cavity, a plurality of upwardly extending teeth on said secondmember projecting into said cavity toward said upper wall and spacedlongitudinally therealong for mating engagement with longitudinallyspaced teeth on the end of a flexible band inserted into said cavitywhen said second member is in said closed position and means for lockingsaid second member in said closed position in said first cavity, saidteeth on said second member being formed in such a manner that the outersurface of the flexible band will contact the inner side of said upperwall when said second member is in closed position and will sliderelative thereto when the band flexes during use.

2. A clamp for fixedly connecting one end of a flexible band to ajewelry article comprising, a first member having a longitudinallyextending upper wall, an end wall, and upwardly extending side walls ateither side of said upper wall, said upper, end and side walls forming,therebetween, there being a cavity for receiving the end of a flexibleband, a second member pivoted at one of its ends to the side walls ofsaid first member and movable from an open position wherein said secondmember projects outward from said cavity to a closed position whereinsaid second member is between the side walls of said first member and insaid cavity, a plurality of upwardly extending teeth on said secondmember projecting into said cavity toward said upper wall and spacedlongitudinally therealong for mating engagement with longitudinallyspaced teeth on the end of a flexible band inserted into said cavitywhen said second member is in said closed position and a pin extendingthrough said second member and through the side walls of said firstmember for locking said second member in said closed position in saidfirst cavity, said teeth being formed in such a manner that the outersurface of the band will contact the inner side of said upper wall whensaid second member is in closed position and will slide relative theretowhen the band flexes during use.

3. A clamp for fixedly connecting one end of a flexible band to ajewelry article comprising, a first member having a longitudinallyextending upper wall, an end wall, and upwardly extending side walls ateither side of said upper wall, said upper, end and side walls forming,therebetween, there being a cavity for receiving the end of a flexibleband, a second member pivoted at one of its ends to the side walls ofsaid first member and movable from an open position wherein said secondmember. projects outward from said cavity to a closed position whereinsaid second member is 'between the side walls of said first member andin said cavity, a plurality of upwardly extending teeth on said secondmember projecting into said cavity toward said upper wall and spacedlongitudinally therealong for mating engagement with longitudinallyspaced teeth on the end of a flexible band inserted into said cavitywhen said second member is in said closed position and a pin extendingthrough said second member and through the side walls of said firstmember at the end of said first member adjacent said end wall forlocking said second member in said closed position in said first memberand a flexible band having one end in said cavity and extendingoutwardly therefrom, said band having one side in engagement with saidupper wall and an opposite side in engagement with said second member,said side of said band in engagement with said second member having aplurality of teeth spaced longitudinally therealong and in matingengagement with said upwardly extending teeth on said second member,said teeth being formed in such a manner that the outer surface of saidband will contact the inner side of said upper wall when said secondmember is in closed position and will slide relative thereto when theband flexes during use.

4. A clamp as recited in claim 3 in which said end wall has alongitudinal opening extending therethrough and said flexible bandextends through said opening and into said cavity.

5. A clamp as recited in claim 3 in which said upper wall has an openingextending therethrough to expose, through said wall, a portion of thesurface of said flexible band.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,775,174 9/ 1930 Roy 24265 X2,044,869 6/1936 Alkin 24--265 2,412,812 12/ 1946 Karasik 2244.5 X2,554,184 5/ 1951 Gerstenblith 24241 2,663,924 12/ 1953 Albrecht 24--265FOREIGN PATENTS 351,976 4/1922 Germany. 959,594 3/1957 Germany.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

